Douglas County School Board Backs Affordable Housing Project for Employees

The board voted to declare surplus land and support rezoning for a new development with units prioritized for public school workers.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 10:37pm

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A bold, colorful silkscreen-style illustration featuring a repeating pattern of a simple, iconic apartment building icon in vibrant neon shades, conceptually representing the affordable housing initiative for school district employees.An affordable housing development prioritizing public school employees aims to address the challenge of retaining educators in the Douglas County School District.Denver Today

The Douglas County School Board has unanimously voted to declare a county-owned parcel of land as surplus property and provide a letter of support for a rezoning proposal that would allow for an affordable housing project with units prioritized for public school employees.

Why it matters

The affordable housing project aims to address the challenge of attracting and retaining teachers and staff in the district by providing more accessible housing options. This initiative aligns with broader efforts across Colorado to improve educator compensation and benefits.

The details

The property, located in the Meridian Village area, had previously been designated for a future elementary school. However, with the surrounding area now fully developed and no projected need for an additional school, the district decided to declare the land as surplus. Shea Properties presented development options to the board, with the affordable housing proposal receiving the most interest from board members.

  • The school board voted on the proposal during their meeting on Tuesday, April 9, 2026.
  • The affordable housing project will now go before the Douglas County commissioners for a final decision on the rezoning.

The players

Douglas County School Board

The governing body of the Douglas County School District, which oversees the public education system in Douglas County, Colorado.

Brad Geiger

A member of the Douglas County School Board who spoke in support of the affordable housing initiative.

Shea Properties

A real estate development company that presented the affordable housing proposal to the school board.

Eric Hecox

The Senior Vice President of Operations at Shea Properties, who spoke about the company's plans for the affordable housing project.

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What they’re saying

“I think the housing initiative is a good one for us, but that's a decision for the county commissioners.”

— Brad Geiger, Douglas County School Board Member

“The one that appeared to be the most interesting to the school board was our ability to provide affordable housing with a preference for public school district employees.”

— Eric Hecox, Senior Vice President of Operations, Shea Properties

What’s next

The affordable housing project proposal will now go before the Douglas County commissioners for a final decision on the rezoning of the surplus property.

The takeaway

This affordable housing initiative by the Douglas County School Board demonstrates a proactive approach to addressing the challenge of providing accessible and attainable housing options for public school employees, which is a growing concern across Colorado and many other parts of the country.